Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) has invited more than 150 private, semi-government and third sector organizations across the UAE to apply to earn the Parent-friendly Label (PFL), since the launch of the second cycle in early November of last year. The ECA is accepting applications from organizations operating in these sectors until May 12, 2023.

Since the launch of the second cycle, the ECA has conducted 20 one-on-one support sessions with potential applicants. The authority also organized three awareness webinars for potential applicants to support them as they apply. Moreover, the ECA carried out in-person visits to several organizations across the UAE to brief them about the PFL, its positive impact on organizations, working parents, children, family and the whole community, and invite them to apply.

And in support, Eltayeb Adam, UNICEF Representative to the Gulf Area, said: “UNICEF is pleased to note the progress being made by Abu Dhabi's Early Childhood Authority (ECA) when it comes to family-friendly policies, in particular with the Parent-friendly Label. The aspiration to match the policies with internationally recognized standards and progressively work towards UNICEF's recommended best practices is praiseworthy.​”

As there are 100 days left to apply for the PFL, ECA is inviting all relevant organizations across the country to apply to earn the Label, contributing towards building a solid future for organizations and community members, across the UAE.

All organizations adopting policies that support parents can apply to earn the Label.  Applicants can either apply for level one (PFL) or level two (PFL+) by filling out the application form through the program’s website: https://eca.gov.ae/ar/parent-friendly-home/ and by sharing an anonymous parent-friendly experience survey with their employees.

In its first cycle, the PFL has already been successful in encouraging organizations to re-imagine their workplace and support working parents of young children. In the first cycle, six organizations – HSBC, Masdar, Emirates Nature-WWF, Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, Etihad Airways and Silal – earned the Label for implementing parent-friendly policies that included bonding leave for adoptive parents, extended paternity leave, and allowing mothers to choose when they want to take maternity leave, among other leading practices.

To ensure objectivity and transparency, all applications are independently evaluated by a judging panel comprising high-level officials from across the country. Earning the Label gives valuable public recognition for employers that adopt and implement parent-friendly policies and practices. The Label also helps employers take advantage of learning and development opportunities, gives them access to customized evaluation reports.

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